Siding Seal

ABSTRACT

A sealing device is disclosed that discreetly seals openings in a building&#39;s siding. The sealing device comprises an elongated insulating component, configured to mate with a profile of an assembled sided wall, and secured within the voids of at least one trim channel component. The elongated insulating component is custom-shaped and cut to the exact size needed, depending on the shape and size of the assembled siding it is to be used with. The trim channel components cover a terminating edge of the assembled sided wall, and the elongated insulating component substantially fills the voids of the trim channel components along an entire longitudinal length of the assembled sided wall to help lock the siding in place, and to keep out moisture, wind, and insects, etc. The elongated insulating components can be secured within the trim channel components before or after installation of siding on the sided wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/814,868 filed Apr. 23, 2013.

BACKGROUND

Generally, siding is designed to protect the porous insulation that is installed underneath it, and to prevent hot and cold winds from entering a building and robbing it of its heat and/or coldness. However, conventional vinyl, aluminum, and steel sidings are installed with inherent gaps that allow for such a loss of heat or cold. Specifically, hot or cold drafts are able to blow into the building around outlets, light switches, and other small spaces. Furthermore, conventional siding is vulnerable to insect invasion and/or horizontal rain, which allows water under the siding where it can grow toxic molds. Further, even light winds can make siding rattle and vibrate, and create unwanted noise and disturbances. An effective solution is necessary.

The present invention prevents seasonal winds from entering a building through the inherent gaps between the siding and the channel trim; thereby reducing heating and air conditioning bills. The sealing device also decreases wind noise and siding damage by preventing wind from pulling siding away from the building, and stops bugs and wind-driven moisture from getting under the siding and into the building where it can grow toxic molds. Further, the sealing device installs easily both in new construction and retroactively to improve the protective qualities of existing siding. It also effectively hides and protects exterior wires and cable, thus improving a building's aesthetic quality.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a sealing device that is a custom-shaped, water-resistant seal that discreetly seals openings in a building's modern, conventional siding. The sealing device comprises an elongated insulating component, configured to mate with a profile of an assembled sided wall, and secured within the voids of at least one trim channel component. The elongated insulating component is custom-shaped and cut to the exact size needed, depending on the shape and size of the assembled siding the elongated insulating component is to be used with.

The back surface of the elongated insulating component is configured to mate with a profile of the assembled sided wall, such that the elongated insulating component fills in the gaps of the assembled siding to help lock the siding in place, and to keep out moisture, wind, and insects, etc. Furthermore, the elongated insulating component is secured within the voids of at least one trim channel component. The trim channel components cover a terminating edge of the assembled sided wall, and the elongated insulating component substantially fills the voids of the trim channel components along an entire longitudinal length of the assembled sided wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongated insulating components can be secured within the trim channel components before installation of siding on the sided wall. Specifically, the elongated insulating component is secured within the trim channel components via gluing the elongated insulating component to an interior of the trim channel components. However, the elongated insulating component can also be secured within the trim channel components after installation of siding on the sided wall. Specifically, the elongated insulating components are secured within the trim channel components via compressing the elongated insulating components into the voids of the trim channel components, on an outer surface of the siding.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing device in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing device pre-installed in the trim channel component in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing device installed after installation of the assembled siding in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing device installed after installation, with the assembled siding cut-away to show the sealing device in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing device in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

The present invention prevents seasonal winds from entering a building through the inherent gaps between the siding and the channel trim; thereby reducing heating and air conditioning bills. The sealing device also decreases wind noise and siding damage by preventing wind from pulling siding away from the building, and stops bugs and wind-driven moisture from getting under the siding and into the building. Further, the sealing device installs easily both in new construction and retroactively to improve the protective qualities of existing siding. It also effectively hides and protects exterior wires and cable, thus improving a building's aesthetic quality.

The sealing device comprises an elongated insulating component, configured to mate with a profile of an assembled sided wall, and secured within the voids of at least one trim channel component. The elongated insulating component is custom-shaped and cut to the exact size needed, depending on the shape and size of the assembled siding it is to be used with. The trim channel components cover a terminating edge of the assembled sided wall, and the elongated insulating component substantially fills the voids of the trim channel components along an entire longitudinal length of the assembled sided wall to help lock the siding in place, and to keep out moisture, wind, and insects, etc. The elongated insulating components can be secured within the trim channel components before or after installation of siding on the sided wall.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the sealing device 100 that is a custom-shaped, waterproof seal that discreetly seals openings in a building's modern, conventional siding. The sealing device 100 comprises an elongated insulating component 102, configured to mate with a profile of an assembled sided wall, and secured within the voids of at least one trim channel component 104 (as shown in FIG. 1).

The sealing device 100 can be utilized with almost any standard vinyl, aluminum, or steel, horizontally-sheeted siding that employs channeled trim at its terminating edges. The elongated insulating component 102 comprises a first longitudinally extending portion 106, a second longitudinally extending portion 108, opposing sides 110, a front surface 112, and a back surface 114. Typically, the elongated insulating component 102 is custom-shaped and cut to the exact size needed, depending on the shape and size of the assembled siding the elongated insulating component 102 is to be used with. The elongated insulating component 102 would generally be constructed of waterproof foam, foam rubber, or polyethylene, etc., though any other suitable material may be used to manufacture the elongated insulating component 102 as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention.

The elongated insulating component 102 can also comprise a variety of colors and designs to suit user and manufacturing preference. While the shape and size of the elongated insulating component 102 may vary greatly depending on the wants and needs of a user, the elongated insulating component 102 is comprised of wedges that are each approximately between 2 and 8 inches in height, with the entire elongated insulating component being the same height as the building's walls (i.e., all the wedges together), and approximately between ⅜ and 1 inch wide as measured from opposing sides 110 (the pre-installed components 102 will be approximately between ⅝ and 1½ inches wide), and approximately between ¼ and 1 inch thick as measured from a front surface 112 to a back surface 114 at its highest point and approximately between 0 and ½ inch thick at its lowest point.

The back surface 114 of the elongated insulating component 102 is configured to mate with a profile 116 of the assembled sided wall 200. Specifically, the back surface 114 of the elongated insulating component 102 is custom-cut to mate with the front faces 118 and the undercuts 120 of the assembled siding 122 for which it is being used, such that the elongated insulating component 102 fills in the gaps of the assembled siding 122 to help lock the siding 122 in place, and to keep out moisture, wind, and insects, etc. Thus, the elongated insulating component 102 plugs (or seals) the cracks or gaps that are inherent with vinyl siding because of the expansion factor needed when installing the vinyl siding.

Furthermore, the elongated insulating component 102 is secured within the voids 124 of at least one trim channel component 104. Typically, the elongated insulating component 102 is cut to a slightly larger size than the gaps the elongated insulating component 102 is fitting into, to help lock it in place in the trim channel components 104. The trim channel components 104 cover a terminating edge 126 of the assembled sided wall, and the elongated insulating component 102 substantially fills the voids 124 of the trim channel components 104 along an entire longitudinal (or vertical) length of the assembled sided wall. The trim channel components 104 can comprise “J-shaped” channels and corner channels, or any other suitable channels as is known in the art that act to cover a terminating edge 126 of an assembled sided wall. Any such trim channel components 104 can be fitted with the elongated insulating components 102, which would be custom-cut to match the profiles of the assembled siding 122, and then slid into place in the trim channel components 104.

The elongated insulating components 102 can be secured within the trim channel components 104 before installation of siding 122 on the sided wall (as shown in FIG. 2). Typically, this would be a factory installation. Specifically, the elongated insulating component 102 is secured within the trim channel components 104 via gluing the elongated insulating component 102 to an interior of the trim channel components 104. However, the elongated insulating component 102 does not have to be glued into the trim channel components 104, and can be secured to the interior of the trim channel components 104 via any suitable securing means as is known in the art. Once secured to the trim channel components 104, the siding 122 can then be installed normally. The gaps are automatically filled during the siding's installation, which creates a double seal of both the front and the back of the siding 122.

The elongated insulating components 102 can also be secured within the trim channel components 104 after installation of siding 122 on the sided wall (as shown in FIG. 3). Typically, this would be an aftermarket installation. Specifically, the elongated insulating components 102 are secured within the trim channel components 104 via compressing the elongated insulating components 102 into the voids 124 of the trim channel components 104 (as shown in FIG. 4), on an outer surface (or front face) 118 of the siding 122. The aftermarket installation could be installed by almost anyone. The elongated insulating components 102 are custom-cut to slide seamlessly into the trim channel components 104 that hold the siding 122, thereby filling the gaps, during the aftermarket installation.

FIG. 5 illustrates the sealing device 100 in use. As stated supra, the sealing device 100 comprises an elongated insulating component 102, configured to mate with a profile 116 of an assembled sided wall, and secured within the voids 124 of at least one trim channel component 104. The elongated insulating component 102 is custom-shaped and cut to the exact size needed, depending on the shape and size of the assembled siding 122 it is to be used with. The trim channel components 104 cover a terminating edge of the assembled sided wall, and the elongated insulating component 102 substantially fills the voids 124 of the trim channel components 104 along an entire longitudinal length of the assembled sided wall to help lock the siding 122 in place, and to keep out moisture, wind, and insects, etc. The elongated insulating components 102 can be secured within the trim channel components 104 before or after installation of siding 122 on the sided wall.

In operation, a user (not shown) would choose the size and/or specific color of the sealing device 100 that meets their needs and/or wants, depending on the type, size, and/or shape of the siding 122 that it will be used with. If the sealing device 100 is to be installed before installation of siding 122 on the sided wall, then the elongated insulating component 102 is secured within the trim channel components 104. Specifically, the elongated insulating components 102 are glued (or otherwise secured) to an interior of the trim channel components 104. Once secured to the trim channel components 104, the user then installs the siding 122 normally. Thus, the gaps are automatically filled during the siding's installation, which creates a double seal of both the front and the back of the siding 122.

If the sealing device 100 is to be installed after installation of siding 122 on the sided wall, the elongated insulating components 102 are secured within the trim channel components 104 via compressing the elongated insulating components 102 into the voids 124 of the trim channel components 104, on an outer surface (or front face) 118 of the siding 122. Specifically, the user custom-cuts the elongated insulating components 102 to slide seamlessly into the trim channel components 104 that hold the siding 122, thereby filling the gaps to help lock the siding 122 in place, and to keep out moisture, wind, and insects, etc.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealing device for use with an assembled sided wall of a building, comprising: an elongated insulating component comprising first and second longitudinally extending portions, a front surface, and a back surface; wherein the back surface is configured to mate with a profile of the assembled sided wall; and wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within voids of at least one trim channel component, wherein the at least one trim channel component covers a terminating edge of the assembled sided wall.
 2. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the elongated insulating component substantially fills the voids of the at least one trim channel component along entire vertical length of the assembled sided wall.
 3. The sealing device of claim 2, wherein the elongated insulating component is manufactured of at least one of waterproof foam, foam rubber, or polyethylene.
 4. The sealing device of claim 2, wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component before installation of siding on the sided wall.
 5. The sealing device of claim 4, wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component via gluing the elongated insulating component to an interior of the at least one trim channel component.
 6. The sealing device of claim 2, wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component after installation of siding on the sided wall.
 7. The sealing device of claim 6, wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component via compressing the elongated insulating component into the voids of the at least one trim channel component, on an outer surface of the siding.
 8. The sealing device of claim 7, wherein the siding can be vinyl, aluminum, or steel siding.
 9. The sealing device of claim 8, wherein the siding is horizontally-sheeted siding.
 10. A sealing device for use with an assembled sided wall of a building, comprising: an elongated insulating component comprising first and second longitudinally extending portions, a front surface, and a back surface; wherein the back surface is configured to mate with a profile of the assembled sided wall; and wherein at least one trim channel component covers a terminating edge of the assembled sided wall; and wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within and substantially fills voids of the at least one trim channel component along entire vertical length of the assembled sided wall.
 11. The sealing device of claim 10, wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component before installation of siding on the sided wall.
 12. The sealing device of claim 11, wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component via gluing the elongated insulating component to an interior of the at least one trim channel component.
 13. The sealing device of claim 10, wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component after installation of siding on the sided wall.
 14. The sealing device of claim 13, wherein the elongated insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component via compressing the elongated insulating component into the voids of the at least one trim channel component, on an outer surface of the siding.
 15. The sealing device of claim 10, wherein the elongated insulating component is manufactured of at least one of waterproof foam, foam rubber, or polyethylene.
 16. A sealing device for use with an assembled sided wall of a building, comprising: a polyethylene insulating component comprising first and second longitudinally extending portions, a front surface, and a back surface; wherein the back surface is configured to mate with a profile of the assembled sided wall; and wherein at least one trim channel component covers a corner of the assembled sided wall; and wherein the polyethylene insulating component is secured within and substantially fills voids of the at least one trim channel component along entire vertical length of the assembled sided wall.
 17. The sealing device of claim 16, wherein the polyethylene insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component after installation of siding on the sided wall.
 18. The sealing device of claim 17, wherein the polyethylene insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component via compressing the polyethylene insulating component into the voids of the at least one trim channel component, on an outer surface of the siding.
 19. The sealing device of claim 16, wherein the polyethylene insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component before installation of siding on the sided wall.
 20. The sealing device of claim 19, wherein the polyethylene insulating component is secured within the at least one trim channel component via gluing the polyethylene insulating component to an interior of the at least one trim channel component. 